Long-term consequences of anesthetic technique after cancer surgery

The main treatment for most types of malignant tumors is their surgical removal. During the past years there has been a growing interest in the anesthesia effects on long-term surgery results in connection with cancer. Modern clinical and laboratory data indicate that the anesthetic technique may play a role in tumor dissemination and recurrence. The purpose of this study is to review the available literature data on the anesthetic techniques applied in oncology surgery, long-term consequences of anesthesia/analgesia and their relation to tumor progression.

We have reviewed the specialized medical literature and have analyzed the effects of anesthesia/analgesia on long-term results of surgical treatment--incidence of local recurrence, metastases and patients' survival.

The hypothesis about the influence of the anesthesia type on long-term results after cancer surgery is generated. The use of anesthetics and analgesics with low potential for immunosuppression may reduce the relapse. This is a useful approach for patients with cancer.

Further randomized controlled trials are required for extensive research of this problem.